Police, community and calendar briefs for April 18, 2013

Two men arrested Tuesday face multiple charges, including possession of marijuana.

Israel Smith, 40, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bruce Dutton, 21, was charged with possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstruction without violence.

A sheriff’s deputy went to an address on County Road 25 to serve a warrant on Smith for a charge of domestic assault. Smith answered the door and the deputy reportedly detected a strong odor of marijuana. The deputy asked if anyone else was in the home and Smith said no. The deputy, however, found Dutton in a bathroom.

The two men told the deputy there was a bag of marijuana in the kitchen.

The deputy was given permission to search the home and found a backpack that appeared to contain everything needed to manufacture methamphetamine.

The Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team was notified and a drug agent arrived and investigated the backpack. A plastic bottle inside the pack contained 136 grams of meth.

2 in separate molestation cases

One man turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday and another was arrested in separate molestation cases being investigated by Inspector Mike Mongeluzzo of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit.

James Lawrence Parker, 35, was charged with sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation.

In Parker’s case, the victim, age 13, told an official at Kimberly’s Cottage Center for Child Protection late last year that Parker touched her inappropriately several times at locations in Micanopy and Hawthorne.

In Sessler’s case, Mongeluzzo noted in his report that on Tuesday a 9-year-old girl alleged that Sessler molested her. When deputies had arrived at the location, Sessler had fled. After not being able to find him, officials obtained the arrest warrant, after which Sessler soon turned himself in.

Anyone else who believes they may have been a victim can call Mongeluzzo at 368-3508.

Police looking for suspect in PC theft

The Ocala Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person who stole a Hewlett Packard computer Monday afternoon from the Walmart on Southwest 19th Avenue Road.

The thief put the computer in a cart and took it to the children’s toy section, where he removed an anti-theft device from the box, according to an OPD media release. He then left the store with the $798 computer.

He was described as a black male wearing a red-and-white flannel shirt, green hat and shorts.

OPD is asking anyone with information to call 369-7000 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP.

Man charged with aggravated battery

MARION OAKS — A man accused of swinging a machete at a woman was arrested Tuesday night and charged with aggravated battery.

Deputy Shelby Roberts went to the 17200 block of Southwest 17th Circle and talked with Giulie Rivera, who said a woman had hit him in the head with a cast iron frying pan. Rivera, 32, claimed not to recall any other details.

The deputy noted in her report that she did not see any markings on Rivera’s head.

The woman told the deputy she and Rivera were arguing in the kitchen and he went into a bedroom and came back with a machete. She said she was holding a frying pan as he was walking toward her swinging the knife, but denied hitting him with the pan.

COMMUNITYNavy bombing set for Friday-Sunday

Navy training schedules indicate live bombing will take place intermittently from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest.

For noise complaints, call 1-800-874-5059.

Disney Sports director to speak

Faron Kelley, director of marketing for Disney Sports, will be the guest speaker at the Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association monthly professional development luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m Friday at the Frank DeLuca Marion County YMCA, 3200 SE 17th St., Ocala.

Following Kelly’s presentation, the chapter will host the Mid-Florida Local Image Awards ceremony.

The cost is $20 for FPRA members and $25 for non-members. Reserve a spot and prepay at fpraocala.org.

For more information, visit www.fpraocala.org.

Clydesdales will be present Saturday

The Ocala office of Express Employment Professionals will host a visit of the corporate Express Clydesdales team from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the former Ocala-Marion County Chamber of Commerce site opposite the downtown square.

The six horses, which are a rare black-and-white color, stand 17- to 18-hands high and weigh more than 2,000 pounds each. They will be hitched to a coach, with a Dalmatian onboard.

People will be able to pet the horses and take photographs, according to Mark Dolan, a business developer with the company.

There is no cost to see the Clydesdales.

For more information, call Dolan at 867-8055.

Farmland festival happening April 27

The sixth annual Farmland Preservation Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27 at the Harvest Village, 22050 N. U.S. 441, between McIntosh and Micanopy.

The event will include a farmers market, plant sales and numerous vendors and informational exhibits. There will be a dog agility show and a demonstration by the Citra Paso Fino Drill Team.

A tractor parade with a number of antique models will begin at 11 a.m. A live auction begins at noon.

Throughout the day, there will be food for sale, face painting, a cracker cow camp and traditional farm and cottage crafts. Entertainment will be provided by D.L., Leah Oxendine and Maygan Flood, Alan Height, James Coker, the Rod Guynn Family, Pete Peterman and James “Tuck” Tucker.

There is no admission fee. Free parking will be located on the east side of the highway.

The festival is an educational program of the nonprofit Marion County Citizens’ Coalition Inc., and is supported by the Save Our Rural Area group.

To learn more, visit www.farmlandpreservationfestival.org.

SECO launches new prepay program

SECO has launched Myway Prepay. For new member/customers there is no deposit requirement. Existing members can receive a refund of the current deposit or apply it to a new prepay account.

When funds in a prepay account are getting low, SECO will advise the member via telephone, text or email so there is no disruption in service.

Program members can access their account status day or night, see the fund balance, view power consumption history and more.

For more information, visit secoenergy.com.

Pageant to be held on Founders Day

The Belleview/South Marion Chamber will host the annual Miss Belleview Pageant from 10 a.m .to 3 p.m. May 4 at City Hall Park, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview, during the Founders Day Festival.

The pageant is open to girls age infant to 21 and boys age infant to 4.

Each winner will receive a $50 U.S. Savings Bond, sponsored by Center State Bank. Miss Belleview will receive a $250 bond.

Pageant and vendor applications are available at the chamber, 5301 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview.

For more information, call 245-2178 or email belleviewchamber@gmail.com.

Ocala Shrine Club golf tournament

The Ocala Shrine Club four-man scramble golf tournament will begin at 10 a.m. May 4 at the Country Club of Silver Springs Shores, 565 Silver Road, Ocala.

The cost is $60 per player, which includes lunch as well as dinner for two after the tournament.

For more information, call 237-7561 or 694-1515.

Dunnellon’s boil water notice lifted

The precautionary boil water notice issued Monday by the city of Dunnellon for the Rainbow Springs subdivision has been rescinded. To learn more, call Dunnellon Public Services at 465-8590.